Arsenal’s reward for eliminating Sporting CP from the UEFA Champions League is a semi-final showdown with Atlético Madrid — and former Premier League striker Troy Deeney believes Ademola Lookman will arrive at that tie with something to prove.
Speaking to CBS Sports, Deeney highlighted the Nigerian winger’s chequered history in English football as a potential source of motivation. “It will be interesting for the likes of Lookman, what he can do in these moments,” Deeney said. “Obviously, when he was in the Premier League, he had flashes, but he’s kind of been considered a bit of a bust in the Premier League. So I think this is a massive game for him to showcase [what he can do] against a top team in Arsenal.”
Lookman spent time with both Everton and Fulham during his Premier League career before moving to Italy, where he has rebuilt his reputation. The winger was named Serie A’s Most Valuable Player for the 2023/24 season after a standout campaign with Atalanta, before completing a move to Atlético Madrid.
Deeney also framed the tie as a pivotal moment for Atlético and their long-serving manager Diego Simeone. “I think both teams need it, it’s a huge moment for Simeone,” the former Watford striker said. “Simeone spoke on Tuesday about how the club has evolved, and they’ve allowed him to evolve, but I think when you’ve got a new stadium and the money that they’ve spent, you want to see more progression.”
Arsenal secured their place in the last four through a hard-fought two-legged victory over Sporting CP. After the first leg, Kai Havertz’s late goal in Lisbon proved decisive, as the return fixture at the Emirates Stadium ended goalless. Sporting created several clear chances to level the aggregate score, with Geny Catamo and Maxi Araujo among those who went close, while Leandro Trossard struck the post for the Gunners in the closing stages.
The result marked a historic milestone for Mikel Arteta’s side, who have now reached back-to-back Champions League semi-finals for the first time in the club’s history. Arsenal last appeared in the competition’s final in 2006, when they were beaten by Barcelona in Paris.
The winner of the Arsenal-Atlético tie will contest the final at Budapest’s Puskás Aréna, where they will face either Bayern Munich or defending champions Paris Saint-Germain. The final is scheduled for late May 2026.
For Arsenal, the run represents a genuine opportunity to end a 20-year wait for a return to the Champions League final, with the club also still in contention domestically. Atlético, meanwhile, have not appeared in a Champions League final since their 2016 defeat to city rivals Real Madrid — adding further weight to Deeney’s assessment that the stakes could not be higher for Simeone’s squad.
